Survey on Gender Equality in the Media and Media Content - Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo

"I have to produce three or four times as much as the men if I want to get noticed."

This report, published by the French media development agency CFI (Canal France International), shares the findings of a study that sought to assess gender equality in the media in four countries in sub-Saharan Africa - Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The research looked at the legal provisions in terms of gender equality in each country, how women experience discrimination and violence at work, how gender inequality affects content, and the needs expressed by women working in the media. The report concludes with a list of recommendations that aim to support media workers in challenging sexist stereotypes in media content and in promoting gender equality in media outlets across sub-Saharan Africa.  

The research was designed to inform a number of projects planned by CFI to support gender equality in the media and to foster better representation of women as experts and agents of change in countries where women tend to be underrepresented or portrayed stereotypically in the media. CFI commissioned Groupe de Recherches et d'Echanges Technologiques (GRET) to conduct the research, which consisted of a literature review, interviews, and a survey. The research sought to first document the general situation for female media professionals in the countries being surveyed and, second, to list their needs and expectations in terms of support and capacity strengthening. Twenty interviews were conducted with stakeholders in each country: journalists, media outlet directors, national media regulation bodies, journalist organisations, grassroots organisations working to achieve gender equality, and international development partners. The survey, which was conducted from January to March 2021, included 63 journalists from the four countries. The survey was followed by brainstorming groups to deepen the discussion on female journalists' experiences and ideas.  

The findings show that the legal frameworks governing the media differed across the four countries. Harassment and gender-related violence within media institutions are rarely reported, since the subject is deemed taboo. This is even the case in Niger, where the legal framework governing the media is more gender sensitive and penalises sexist discrimination, yet the taboo around gender-based harassment and violence is such that the law is rarely taken advantage of. The DRC is an exception, where legal systems addressing gender-based violence in the media are supported by a strong movement of media professionals.

Across all countries, the research confirmed that all forms of harassment were very common, yet, as stated in the report, "sexual harassment is rarely reported to upper management or legal authorities, whether occurring in the newsroom or out in the field working with sources of information." The research showed that sexual harassment is one of the main reasons why many women journalists abandon their careers, in addition to a lack of opportunities for greater pay or responsibility.

In relation to content, the report highlights a clear under-representation of women in media companies in the four countries, where they remain confined to certain professions (presenter, show host) or certain subjects (health care, family, celebrities). Women are also represented in a very stereotypical way (as wife and mother), and women in leadership are generally underrepresented in news. This is partly due to a prevailing patriarchal culture, where women are prohibited from speaking out publicly or are otherwise frowned upon if they do so. In addition and related to content, the research revealed that journalists felt some reticence in tackling taboo subjects in society. For example, in the DRC, they might be frowned upon if they talk of sexual and reproductive health, while in Côte d'Ivoire, homosexuality and abortion are subjects that nobody talks about. Female genital mutilation and female sexuality are seldom addressed in Ghana, where sexual taboo is particularly strong, and women in the brainstorming groups in Niger showed great reticence in discussing religion.

In terms of how to support equality in the media, female media professionals expressed needs that relate to their personal development and empowerment, as well as training in digital tools. Discussions revealed that the priority for female media professionals is to address harassment by both employers and sources of information. Approaches include actions to prevent sexual harassment in the newsroom and to raise awareness among media outlet directors so they can act as allies for women reporters subjected to harassment out in the field.

Based on the findings, GRET put forward the following recommendations:

• Support organisations for women journalists in their demands, gender awareness-raising campaigns, and initiatives to spark debate on discrimination and gender-related violence.
• Raise awareness among media directors, chief editors, and male journalists about gender inequality, discrimination, harassment, and stereotypes.
• Support the broadcasting and publication of surveys on harassment and gender in the media, as well as monitoring operations with respect to gender.
• Envisage the production of podcasts or radio series to raise awareness of taboo subjects using fiction.
• Implement training courses on gender-sensitive journalism in line with expressed needs and specific contexts (the "do no harm" approach), and work to encourage gender-sensitive journalism in training institutes.
• Reinforce the capacities of women journalists on various subjects: online media/techniques, self-confidence, solidarity among women in media and with all women, media outlet economics, and project funding.